this newsletter you will find
- Introduction from the Joint Chair
- BGTW Annual Gala Awards Dinner 2023
- BGTW International Tourism Awards Finalists Announced
- Reminder about the General Meeting
- The Charitable Travel Fund Morocco Earthquake Appeal
- An invitation from Blenheim Palace
- BGTW Members’ profile
- October Events
- Industry Events
- Members’ Benefits
- and much, much more!
Welcome to the 6th edition of the BGTW members’ newsletter In:House.
The countdown has begun to the major event in the Guild calendar – the ‘BGTW Annual Gala Awards Dinner’, being held on Sunday 5 November at one of London’s most prestigious venues, Middle Temple Hall, just off Strand in the City of London.
This black-tie event is being brought to you this year in partnership with Explore Charleston and Discover South Carolina, together with a raft of other supporters, including Visit Sri Lanka, Visit San Antonio and many other individual awards partners. Add in to that a positive flurry of charity raffle prizes, plus a few surprises, and the evening promises to be one to remember! You can read more about the event and how to buy tickets further down this newsletter.
And on top of all of that we are getting closer to finding out who the finalists are in this year’s BGTW Members’ Excellence Awards. Our UK, Australian and US judges are deliberating as we speak and we are due to announce the names next week (week commencing 2 October).
We’re now also able to bring you more good news, this time about the ‘BGTW AGM and Convention 2024’ that will take place on the Isle of Man. Our host, Visit Isle of Man, is already looking forward to welcoming members. Outbound travel will be on Monday 5 February. Members with confirmed commissions will return on Friday 9 February. Members without confirmed commissions and attending for the AGM element only (and very probably an island tour) will return on Wednesday 7 February. All of that is currently being worked through and we’ll be giving you more details, including the travel options and how you can apply, in the next few weeks.
Now read on for the latest Guild news.
Sarah Siese and Stuart Render
Joint Chair, British Guild of Travel Writers
BGTW Annual Gala Awards Dinner 2023
We are glad to announce that this year’s BGTW Annual Gala Awards Dinner (AGAD) promises to be a spectacular event at Middle Temple Hall in London on 5 November (6pm to 11pm).
There may be no fireworks, but thanks to the wonderful support of Explore Charleston and Discover South Carolina, who have generously sponsored the event, we have managed to heavily subsidise members’ tickets for what promises to be the travel event of the year.
Members tickets are £95 and member-plus-one tickets are £140 (both including VAT). Tickets (£199 plus VAT) to our industry friends will be going on sale in two weeks. So, to secure your ticket make sure to beat the rush. The event will include a Champagne reception, three-course sit down dinner, announcement of the BGTW award winners, music and surprise entertainment.
To purchase a ticket, email charlotte.copeman@bgtw.org.
BGTW International Tourism Awards Finalists Announced
The voting has ended and the finalists of the BGTW International Tourism Awards, partnered by Sri Lanka Tourism, have been announced. The full list of shortlisted projects can be found here.
Congratulations to members whose nominated projects have made the shortlist. Those members receive a complimentary ticket to the BGTW Annual Gala Awards Dinner, our very special black-tie gala taking place on 5 November at Middle Temple Hall in the City of London.
Nominated projects that didn’t make the shortlist receive a ‘BGTW Merit Award’, recognising their inclusion in this year’s competition.
Stuart Render, BGTW awards director, says: “I’d like to thank every member who took the time to nominate a project. A look through the list of finalists reveals a remarkable selection of projects and initiatives. Representatives from many of the projects are expected to join members and other guests in London for our Annual Gala Awards Gala on 5 November.”
The BGTW Annual Gala Awards Dinner is brought to you by Explore Charleston and Discover South Carolina.
Reminder about the General Meeting
As you have all been informed, a General Meeting of the BGTW has been called for 19 October. If you did not receive notification of the meeting with the agenda, could you please contact charlotte.copeman@bgtw.org to receive your notification.
The Charitable Travel Fund Morocco Earthquake Appeal
In the wake of a devastating magnitude 6.8 earthquake, Morocco finds itself grappling with the aftermath, especially in the remote communities nestled within the High Atlas Mountains. The Charitable Travel Fund, the Official Charity of the BGTW, has launched a Morocco earthquake appeal. If you would like to contribute to the appeal, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/moroccanearthquake.
BGTW Members’ Visit to Bath 18 October
Members of the Guild are invited to spend a day in Bath on 18 October 2023.
I can confirm that each member who signs up for this visit with receive a Visit Bath media pass which will give them complimentary access to all the museums and attractions in the city (excluding The Thermae Bath Spa).
Other details to be confirmed include a tour of Mary Shelley’s House in the morning and, hopefully, a light lunch somewhere in the city. Please confirm your attendance to valery.collins@bgtw.org
An invitation from Blenheim Palace
Britain’s Greatest Palace invites you to come along and experience all it has to offer as part of a review trip this Autumn.
Subject to availability and the relevance of the review opportunity, the team at Blenheim Palace, is delighted to create a bespoke itinerary which includes but is not limited to the following experience for you and your family/ friends (up to 4 tickets) to enjoy:
- Palace, Park and Garden tickets
- Adventure Play tickets
- Christmas Tickets
- Halloween Tickets
- Accommodation (on request and subject to relevance/ availability)
- Afternoon tea (on request and subject to relevance/ availability)
For more information and to arrange a review trip please contact: blenheim@cabcampaign.co.uk
BGTW Members’ Profile
As part of our review of the BGTW website, we have looked at how Members’ information is made available to all visitors.
In order to maximise your exposure, please could everyone update their profile by updating this form. You should note that this information will be made available publicly at Connect – BGTW.
If you do not wish your contact information to be made publicly available then contact charlotte.copeman@bgtw.org
OCTOBER EVENTS
ANTOR v BGTW Debate 12 October 2023
Topic of Debate: “The influence of CHAT GBT and Artificial Intelligence on Travel Writing, Travel Photography and PR – Should we be Concerned?”
We are looking for members who would be happy to join our panel for this debate. Anyone interested please contact Valery – valery.collins@bgtw.org.
INDUSTRY EVENTS
Travel Photographer of the Year 2023
Entries for Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) close on 1 October, giving professional and amateur photographers of all ages and from all countries, just a few more days to submit their entries in this global award which has seen previous winners gain huge international exposure for their work, and which is celebrating its 21st annual contest this year.
Entry fees start at £10, and TPOTY is offering a number of entry ‘packages’ which give substantial savings of as much as 50% over individual category fees. Entry to Young Travel Photographer of the Year is free. Submissions must be made online at www.tpoty.com.
MEMBERS’ BENEFITS
Dell Discount
As many members know, the BGTW has secured discounts with DELL for BGTW members. Some of the latest discounts include:
Renowned and sustainable business laptop –
Latitude, was 8% now 12%.
Creative powerhouse – Precision, was 8% now 12%
Optiplex desktops – was 8% now 12%
Award winning XPS – was 8% now 10%
As always, the new member discounts can be used on top of sale prices. Discounts avail till 3 November. Details of how you apply for these can be found at Benefits – BGTW.
BGTW ON SOCIAL MEDIA
We’re always up for sharing your work, events, news, projects etc. Social media is managed by a small team. If you’re not being followed by the BGTW, email us.
Twitter: Tag @travwriters in your tweet/photo if you want us to see/share. You can also follow fellow members on this BGTW members list.
Instagramposts: Select ‘Tag people’ then tag @travwriters.
You can use the #bgtw hashtag or tag@ us in post copy/comments, but they’re harder to track. Tagging IN the pic guarantees we see it.
Stories/Reels: Use the ‘@mention’ function to tag us.
Facebook: We can promote your work/news on our public Facebook page. Send links via FB Messenger to that account.
LinkedIn: You can ‘@’ British Guild of Travel Writers in posts and we’ll like/share/comment when possible/appropriate.
British Guild of Travel Writers
